The Way Back
It’s ironic, really, how some of life’s most unintentional winnings and losses can yield some truly deadly things. I have never once been an alcoholic. The very idea of being drunk, literally, repulses me. I’ve seen and experienced people I love and care about going through that junk more than I’d care to admit. As I’ve mentioned on our show, particularly last September on our Pornography Addiction episode, I’m no stranger to addiction. I don’t want to come across as holy-than-thou – alcoholism and that struggle is just something that sickens me. I wish I could say that I and addiction grew apart in high school but it’s a daily struggle and battle.
This past December, I was sitting across from one of my best friends. As he was sharing his own struggles with the bottle. I’m happy to say that he has now been clean for nearly five years. In our episode, The Fatality of Alcoholism, he shares the price he paid for his addiction. A broken marriage, a broken family, party-driven, and law-bound. He sacrificed some much to escape from the throws of the bottle. His pain was too heavy to face. So, he drank his pain away. Though, I want to step aside for just a brief moment. I want to encourage any readers or those that have listened to our alcoholism episode, to reach out if you know someone struggling. Life is a truly precious thing – not to be wasted on such addictions. There are always healthy alternatives and resources available. Some of which you might find useful here. Please stay with us.
Now, your regularly scheduled review. Ben Affleck has had the struggles of alcoholism in his own life. I have a lot of respect for the dude for being so open about his struggles. Art imitates life with his latest basketball flick, The Way Back. The movie centers on Jack Cunningham (Affleck), a once high school basketball superstar, who returns to the game as a coach 25 years later. Only upon his return, Jack is a man amid divorce and alcoholism. There are two factors that make up The Way Back. First and foremost, this is the story of Jack. This is not a story of an underdog basketball coming forth to claim the glory. This is not that type of movie. The basketball team is the second portion of the movie but ultimately even that ends up falling into troubled waters for the movie.
Affleck’s performance feels very personal. As a viewer, you can feel the weight that Jack is carrying. The process of grief, anger, addiction – all of that comes through with every frame that Affleck has. He is transcendent throughout the course of this movie. His performance is nothing short of awe. That’s why I’ll warn you if you’re coming for a basketball movie – this isn’t it. This is a movie with basketball in it but never directly about basketball. Rather, it showcases a man’s journey throughout alcoholism, the circumstances that drove him to that point and the ultimate rock bottom he hits. Though, that is also where the film hits some of its mistakes as well. The film’s first act borders oversaturation when demonstrating the depth of Jack’s addiction. Nearly every frame within the first 15 minutes of the film feature him with a can of beer. Upon the second act, that portion of his character just stops. Coming from prior experience, in addiction, it is possible to stop cold turkey but it’s rare. The movie shifts its focus from less about his addiction to the basketball team. Only to go back to his problems during the third act. A place where basketball fades, once again. Just the flow of the movie lacks the grace of transition and ultimately ushers in a briefly disjointed movie.
Though even for as disjointed as it may be, there is no denying the fact of how well the film handle’s its characters and subject matter. There is a near grace that comes forth with it. There is an element of mystery that comes with the Jack Cunningham character throughout the first act. It’s not until we get to meet the people in his life, the bonds he forms with the players and other friends – that you really understand him as a character. Co-writer-director, Gavin O’ Connor, has such a smoothness with the character development of Jack. Unfortunately, the majority of the other characters don’t get to experience such grace. They feel one-dimensional or circumstantial, but once again this is Jack’s story.
Overall, The Way Back (2020), might not be the champion it aims to be. The film is home to a powerful performance from Ben Affleck. Affleck will leave you in awe. This is the best he’s been since Gone Girl. Gavin O’Connor carries a boldness with him as co-writer and director – tackling themes of addiction, grief, and anger. Making The Way Back not only entertaining but impactful and important. Affleck’s performance seals that statement, all the more. The film suffers a bit for its flow and identity issues. Not really sure if it wants to be a character study or an inspiring basketball movie. There is a bit of sloppiness within. As a character study, though, The Way Back is an important film that draws awareness to important topics and Affleck’s performance makes this a must-see.
RORSCHACH RATING:
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Victims and Villains is written and produced by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey. Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. The Way Back is property of Warner Brothers Pictures & Bron. We do not own nor claim any rights.